[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 148 (Friday, November 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2047]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           THANKING MY STAFF

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 14, 2002

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, as I leave the Congress for the last time, I 
want to especially thank the many staff who have worked so hard for me 
over these last 20 years that I have been privileged to serve the 
people of the 17th District of Pennsylvania.
  But I want to especially thank my chief of staff, Allan Cagnoli. 
Allan has worked his entire career for the people of central 
Pennsylvania. Low pay, long hours, incredible stress and 
responsibilities are the hallmark burdens of all legislative staff. But 
Allan Cagnoli was and is one of the best of the best. He kept my 
Washington, DC, and district staff and offices running smoothly and 
efficiently, even under the most difficult of times. Whether it was 
serving in the minority party in the 1980s, dealing with the Clinton 
Impeachment in which I was a House Manager, or spending the last 5 
years working for passage of my bankruptcy reform legislation or any of 
the several hundred other measures I introduced or projects I 
undertook, Allan was there. He was there through thick and thin. And we 
all know how thin it can get around here.
  For the past 25 years I and the people of central Pennsylvania and 
the Nation have been lucky to have a trusted, competent, and 
intelligent aide like Allan Cagnoli. Regardless of what he does in the 
future, be it to remain here in Washington, DC, to further the cause of 
good government and a better America, or return to his home in Hershey, 
PA, to help where it is needed, I will always treasure and thank him 
and all my staff, both current and past, for their service to me and to 
our great country.

                          ____________________